Flexible chute



Nov. 22, 1949 w. H. NoBLEs 2,488,679

FLEXIBLE CHUTE Filed Nov. 23, 1944 :5 sheets-sheet 1 f1 f7 z 51 Nov. 22, 1949 w. H. NoBLEs FLEXIBLE CHUTE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 23, 1944 7%@ if T715 Nov. 22, 1949 w. H. NoBLEs FLEXIBLE CHUTE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 23, 1944 Patented Nov. 22, 1949 UNI TED` S TATELS.

.TENT OFFICE FLEXIBLE CHUTE Warren Nobles, st. Paul, Minn.; Application November 23, 1944, Serial No. 564,777

(CL ISS-L25) Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement' in exible chutes wherein it"is desired to provide a chute which may bend in virtually any direction and which is possessed ofsufli'cient'strength' to properly support high caliber shells such as those used in small cannons and the like.

The use oflight cannons on aircraft andthe like has made necessary a flexible chute by means of"which the shells may ber conveyed from the ammunition box to the cannon. Various types ofexible ch'uting has previously been constructed andextensively used'ior relatively small caliber shells; Much of this flexible chuting has been formed vof sheet metal vand wire and is possessed ofV suiiicient strength toV serve successfully in guiding machine gun bullets and"l the like into ring` position. Such chutes 'have'not'been consideredpractcal for heavy"sh'ells, however, asA the necessary increasein' the thickness ofthe sheet metal andwire increases the'weightofthe chuting beyond desirable limits. Thus the size of shellswhich could be few through exible chut; ing from an ammunition box toiiringposition has been previously thought definitely limited-to relatively 'small caliber size.

It is the object ofthe present invention't'opro'- videa exible chute' which is capable' of withstan'dingconsiderable"strain and maybe strongly built-Without increasing the weight of the chutinglexcessively; This I accomplish" by providing aseries'o-f chute elements which are flexibly connected togetherin spaced `relation".

A-feature `of the present inventionl lies in the provision of aflexible chute' includinglongitudh na-lly spaced elementsl each"eomprisinga pair of end guide members pivotally connected together.' A's-a result one end of'each'chute element'may swing about atransverse pvotto permit extreme flexibility of the chuting.

An-added feature of the present invention lies' iniconnecting longitudin-allyspaced elements of the chute by interlocking members which permit a' variation in thespacing between corresponding portions'of these adjacentelements. As a result the lower portions of `the Achute forming elements;

may be relatively close together, while the upper extremities ofthese `elements are spaced farther apart so Aas to produce a" longitudinalverticall curvature. Theopposite, curvature may be, obtained by moving the upper: portions of .the chute forming members into contacting relation..and'

spacing apart the lower extremities thereof.

An additional feature of the present invention,

lis in the provision of projections, on each' chute forming `elementwhich"engage ina rounded spaced apart: Thusthe chute may curve trans-` versely longitudinally of the chute.

AA further feature `offthepresent invention" lies in' the provisionv ofimeans' cooperable with* the harness ofthe shiellsicarried thereby to prevent contact betweentl'ie'noseof each shell and the corresponding side ofthe chute. Certain types of" shells are provided with concussion` heads which act to explode^th`el`shell when the nose thereof strikes an'object; It is therefore neces= sary with such" shells* to hold the nose'thereof' away from thecorresponding side of the' chute so'A that th'eshell will notl be prematurely' ex ploded.v

These vand other objects and novel features of my invention will bemore-iclearly and `fully setforth inthe -fol-lowingspecication and claims.

In the drawings AformingA a part'of my specicas tion:

Fig-ure 1 isa planview cfa length of chute' forming my invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of a section ofchuting showing the manner in` which a heavy caliber shell may 'slide'l therein.

Figure 3 isl aside Aelevational View of a. lengthlof chuting showing Ithe-flexibilitythereof Figure 4 -is-an-'enlarged bottom plan view showing ashortlength'of chuting,V partof the chuteL forming'elem'ents being broken away to show the construction thereof.

Figure 5 is a sectional' view transversely, through a chute' forming element; the position ofthe section .being indicated by the line 5-5 Figure 7' is a sectionalcview showingthe otherside offthe chuting, the position of the section being indicated by the line 'I-l of Figure 5.

Figure ais anfexploded viewshowing the relationshipof thev chutesection connectingele ments as they are assembled.

Figure 9 is aperspectiveview of an element acting tc'ilimitrelativeA movement between. adjacent chute sections.

The chute A is comprised of a series of chute forming elements B, each of which is substantially similar in form and construction. Thus in the fabrication of the chute Vit is only necessary to assemble a series of similar units and to exibly connect these units so that the chute may bend or flex in any direction. Each of the chute forming elements B includes a pair of substantially U-shaped ends I and II which are arranged with the open ends of the U in opposed relationship. The element ends IU include an upper or top flange I2, a side flange I3, and a bottom flange I4. The cross section of the end member II] usually presents a generally flat inner surface and a reinforcing rib I which extends over the major portions of the top flanges 12'; the side flanges I3 and the bottom flanges I4.

A socket IE is provided in the end of each of the flanges I4 as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, and one end I1 of a connecting rod I3 is pressed therein, or otherwise affixed in place. The rod I9 does not turn relative to the end Ill ofthe chute forming element, but is designed to rotate in the opposed end l I of each chute section. Obviously it would be possible to secure the rods I9 from rotation relative to the chute section end II and to rotatably mount this rod in the section end II). The opposite end II of each chute section includes a top flange 23, a side ange 2l, and an integral bottom flange 22. A reinforcing rib 23 preferably extends virtually the entire length of the various flanges described for reinforcing purposes. A transverse slot or notch 28 is formed in the flange 22, this notch or slot extending transversely of the ange or longitudinally of the chute as a whole. A socket 24 is formed in the ange 22 and an aligned aperture 25 is formed also in the flange 22, the aperture 25 extending through the portion of the flange 22 between the slot 28 and the extreme end oi this flange. The end 23 of the rod I3 extends through the aperture 25 and into the socket 24 and is rotatably supported by the socket and aperture. This socket and aperture are of slightly larger diameter than the rod I9. In order to hold the rod I9- engaged to the section end II a collar 21 is provided in the slot 28 which is pressed onto the rod I9 as this rod is forced into the socket 24. The collar 21 prevents axial movement of the rod I9, but permits free rotative movement.

At each side of the chute A, I provide a means of limiting the movement of adjacent chute sections B toward one another. Each side flange I3 is provided with a rounded projection 29 projecting from one side thereof and a rounded socket 30 in the other side thereof. The sockets 30 are of insufficient radial length to limit the necessary angularity between adjacent chute sections. In other words, when the chute is bent in the manner disclosed in Figure 3 of the drawings so that the upper extremities of adjacent sections are closer together or farther apart than the corresponding lower anges of the same chute sections, the sockets will permit such relative angularity. These same projections and sockets, however, do limit the movement of one section B toward the next and assist in maintaining the desired relationship between adjacent chute sections.

As illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings the chute ends I I are similarly equipped with spacing lugs. Rounded projections 3I extend from one side of each of the side flanges 2l and rounded sockets 32 are provided on the opposite side of each flange 2I. The projections 3I of each chute section engage the socket 32 of the next adjacent chute section. The sockets 32 are angularly short enough to permit the necessary angularity bctween adjacent sections when the chute is bent as illustrated in Figure 3. These projections for the sockets do, however, limit movement of ad-- jacent sections toward one another.

As best illustrated in Figures 2 and 5 of the drawings, the chute sections are connected at five different points. Each flange I2 is connected to the two next adjacent ilanges I2 by suitable connecting elements indicated generally by the numeral 33. The side flanges I3 of each section B are also connected to both adjacent flanges I3 by connecting means indicated in general by the numeral 34. Each flange I4 is connected to the next adjacent flanges I4 by a connecting mechanism illustrated in general by the numeral 35. Each flange 22 is connected to the next adjacent iianges 23 by a mechanism illustrated in general by the numeral 33. The flanges 20 are also connected to the next adjacent flanges 23 by a mechanism illustrated in general by the numeral 31. All or" the various mechanisms 33, 34, 35, 33, and 31 are virtually identical so that when one of these mechanisms is understood all of the other mechanisms will also be clearly understood. With reference now to Figure 8 of the drawings, the manner in which the various sections B are linked together is shown in exploded form. The mechanism illustrated happens to be the connecting mechanism 35. however, that all of the other connecting mechanisms are similar or identical as shown at the lower extremity of Figure 8 of the drawings. The flange I4 is provided with a iiat upper surface 33 which has at either end thereof, a raised pro-` The raised projections 4@ present. smooth upper surfaces to serve as a bearing for.

jection 40.

' one element of the connecting mechanism, and a pair of opposed centrally located lugs 4I project above these upper surfaces of the projection 43. Opposed transversely aligned notches 42 are provided in the flat surface 39 for a purpose which will be later described in detail.

The actual means connecting adjacent chute sections B are flat substantially rectangular loops or links 43. The loops or links43 each include -a pair of parallel sides 44 and a pair of parallel ends 45 'and 43. The ends 46 are recessed inwardly slightly from the ends of the sides 44 and form an open nat substantially rectangular co-nnecting link or loop. In assembling the chute sections together two links 43 are rested upon the upper fiat surface 39 in such a manner that the end strip 45 of one link 43 lies beneath the opposite end strip 43 of the other link 43. While held in this position a movement limiting clip 41 is placed to rest upon the upper surfaces of the projections 40. The clip 41 is provided at its opposite ends with notches 49 of a size to embrace the lugs 4I on the projections 4I). These lugs 4I when engaged in the notches 4S prevent either lateral or longitudinal movement of the clip 41. The clip 41 is provided with opposed outwardly and downwardly bent ears 50, the ends of which extend into the notches 42. As a result the end bar 45 of the lowermost link 43 and the end bar 46 of the uppermost link 43 are in superimposed relationship and are limited in movement by the ears 50. The end bars 45'and 46 of the links 43 are substantially narrower than the space between the ears 50, thus permitting movement of the links 43 transversely of the chute sections It will be understood,-

and. longitudinally of the. chute... 'Die shape oi thevlinksg. howeverand the shape ofthe ears- 50 hold the; linksV 43. extending. longitudinally. of the el1ute.-.

Eromlthewforegoing description ;it will ,be -obvious thatitheeseparation between any two sections is`..limitedby the: linksr i3-and thev amount. of movement between adjacent sections is deter-V minedfbythedifterencein width in the space between'. the opposed. ears 'dsandthe ends 45and Mtof thelinkslll. Itwill alsobe noted thatso fanasrhaslbeen,describedfthe two .links 43 and the cliprfaremerely restingin p lace and are not held: from` vertical movement.

Inuorderl to; holdY the.: parts which have been described in assembled relation, I` provide a bear-I ing:19.late 5|. having. a l pair of resilient clips 52. incorporated thereon. The. clipsv 52. are-` integral with-:the 1p1-ate 5|4 and are connected. thereto by relatilvelynarrow connecting strips 53. Eachclip. 52:1includesfa. t'ofpzportiont designed to overlie the ends of the clipz41 and the, projections` 4|, thesefprojectionsbeing of. substantiallyy the same heightlas` thefthickness: of the.- links 43. Each clipfalso. includes'a pair. ofiparallel spring sides 55 which terminate in reversely bent inwardly turned ends-155m The sides y55'are arranged to overlie the side'edgesjofzthe:clipil and embracea part of the ange. lds. A pain-of opposed notchesl are providedrinthey. flange:v I4.y intoA which the inwardly bent ends imayfengage. Thus the clips 52.may bezinserted by pressing the top of the clips downwardly, thesidesl's :springing outwardly until the reversely bent ends 55 coincide with the notches 5i.,z.whereupon..theseends. 56 drop in their respectivet'nntclies;A When oncef so engaged the chute can notbecomeaccidentally disengaged, it being necessaryto; spring the clips 52. apartwith some. tool .such as a vscrew driver or'the like in order to remove theyr clips;

As best seen in Figure. 7 of the drawings, the projecting end 59 of each plate 5| engages-beneath the opposite edge of the next adjacent plate 51a. In other words; the end 59 of the plate 5| is sandwiched'between the body of'the next adjacent .platel and'theupper surface of thelclip 41. Thus.. a smooth sliding surface isl provided, the

effectiveness lofwhichY is increased by bendingdownwardly'at afslightincline the edge 60 of the pla-rte 5i opposite the end 55' so as to bring the sunfacefof the plate as close as possible to the end 59 of the neXt adjacent plate 5| underlying the same.

The pl-ates 5| are obviously reversible so that the chute may be arranged for conveying goods inA eitherdirection. In guiding shells into place'as shown` in Figure 2 of the drawings, the Vplates I5| areu son overlappedthat movement of the shells allows the same to drop from one plate to theA next, rather than to .butt against the beveled or inclined edge 69. thereof. In this way theshells mayibe moved with a minimum of friction.

In the` specific embodiment` illustrated, it is necessary to-prevent the nose 5| of each shell C- from str-iking'thechute as the shells will explode upon concussion. In order to accomplish this result I .providea wall' of plates against which theshell harness D may slide. This shell harness, as indicated in: Figure 2 of the drawings, is normally provided with. ears 62 thereupon which may engage against the wallof platesprovided in such a'rnanner` astot prevent axial movement of the. shell to apositionwherein` the nose El will strike thief side flange.'1 2| of: the end member Il;

Asfillustrated Figures 5; and16 `ci the draw-- secticns ingsfthe connectingemechanism. 3,1- is identical with,v ther mechanism 3.5:v previously,V described in detail;,with the exception thatlplates63iaresubf stituted for. theplates 5| previously described. Thefpl'ates larefprovidedwith a projecting end Ecl which usually islsandwiched between. the Aoppositeben-t,A edgef and the.v corresponding clip 47|. Clips atand-Elsimilar; to the clips 52.are also. provided.` However,I the clip 66-is provided with an=integral laterally extending ear 69 to which is secured abearing plate-l0. The bearing plate 10;- iaheld. in place at. itsA upper extremity by. being engagedbeneath alipl 'I I- integral with the. flange- E. The plates were generally rectangular in form,Vv the shapeof. these plates being bestillustitated-inFigure (ifofv the drawings. These plates`- overlapl in-y the same direction asi` theplates; 63 andra! so thattheshellsmay be carried through the chute withytheileast possible friction.

Projecting; laterally from each of the sections I providespacing means which limit the Inove-` ment of these sections toward one another. When the chute is iiat and not curved, the chute. sections are: all substantailly parallel, and are spaced apart bythe projections 29 and 3| and which'extend transversely of the ange or longi-A Similarspacing lugs or;

tudinally of' thechute. abutments '|4and.`15 are provided on the flanges; liand. 22, respectively. Upon extreme iiexure off the chute, theselprojections will abutand preventadditional pivotal movement.

The mannerin which the plates 5| overlap one another-is believed. .clear upon an examination of` f Figures 6-and '7 of the drawings. Figure 6 also showsthesize of the ends 45 and 4501 the links; 43. It, will be seenv that the links may move longitudinally of the chute within the` confines of the ears 50 to permitmovement of adjacent chute sectionstoward or away from one another.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction andY `op-l eration of my llexiblerchute, and while I have endeavoredv to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to-have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims l without departing from the spirit of my'inventiom I` claimf.

1. A iiexible chute comprising a series ofchute forming sections, and longitudinally aligned alflertureclv link means connecting each section to the.next.adjacentfsectionsto permit said sections to move apart or together within dei-ined limits the apertures of.` adjacent links overlapping.

2. A liexible;chute-comprising a series of chute forming sections. longitudinally aligned apertured links connecting each section to the next adjacent.sectionstogether at spaced points, the apertures of.' adjacent links overlapping, and means Von. thev sections extending through overlapping apertures, said links permitting restricted separation or closing together of said sections.

3,1 Arexible chutecomprisingua series'ofchute chute section including a pair on 7 relatively rigid end members connected together to permit relative rotation therebetween on a general transverse axis, and means connecting said adjacent Vsections together to permit limited separation or closing together of said sections.

4'. A flexible chute comprising a series of chute sections each including a pair oi relatively rigid end members, transversely extending means connecting each pair of end members to permit relative rotation therebetween about an axis extending Vtransversely of the chute, and link means connecting the relatively rigid end members of adjacent sections to permit limited movement of said -sections together or apart.

y5. A flexible chute comprising a series of sections each including a pair of relatively rigid end members, transversely extending means connecting said end members together in a manner to permit relative rotation therebetween, link means connecting adjacent end members together to permit limited relative movement between adjacent sections, and means holding -said links in place.

6. A iiexible ychute comprising a series of connected sections, each section including a pair of relatively rigid end members, a rounded projection on each end member extending longitudinally of the chute, a socket on the next adjacent end member in which said projection may engage to limit movement of said sections toward one another, and means connecting adjacent section-s to permit limited separation and closing together of said sections.

'7. A flexible chute comprising a series of sections each including a pair of end members, said end members each including an end wall, said end Walls of opposite end members of each section lying on substantially parallel planes, a rounded projection on each end wall projecting longitudinally of the chute, and a socket on the other side of each end Wall to accommodate the rounded projection of the next adjacent chute section, and means connecting adjacent sections to permit limited separation and closing together.

8. A flexible chute comprising a series of sections each including a pair of substantially U- shaped end members arranged with the open ends thereof in opposed relationship, means connecting said one side of said opposed end members, and apertured link means connecting the end members of adjacent sections, the apertures of adjacent links overlapping, and means on the end members extending through the overlapping apertures to permit limited separation and closing together of adjacent sections.

9. A exible chute comprising a series of sections each including a pair of U-shaped end members having one side of the U arranged in opposed relation, means connecting said opposed sides to permit relative pivotal movement between end members, and means connecting adjacent end members together to permit limited separation and closing together of adjacent sections.

1G. A exible chute comprising a series of chute sections, each -section comprising a pair of U-shaped end members having one side thereof in opposed relation, means connecting the opposed sides of said end members to permit rotation about the axis of the connecting member, and means exibly connecting adjacent sections together to permit limited separation and closing together' of the sections.

ll. A flexible chute comprising a series of sections each including a pair of end members of U-shape having rone side of one end member substantially aligned with one side of the other end member, means connecting said aligned ends to permit rotation of one end member relative to another about the axis of the aligned ends, and means connecting together adjacent sections to permit limited separation and closing together thereof.

l2. A iiexible chute including a series of sections each comprising a pair of substantially U- shaped end members having one side of each thereof substantially aligned, means connecting said aligned sides, a rounded projection extending from the closed end of each end member longitudinally of the chute, a socket on the closed end of each end member engageable with the rounded projection of the next adjacent section, means connecting the sides of each end member with the corresponding sides of the end member of the next adjacent section, said connecting means permitting limited separation and closing together of adjacent sections.

13. A flexible chute comprising a series of independent sections each comprising a pair of connected end members, each said end member being connected to the corresponding end niembers of the next adjacent section, said connection comprising links, means connecting an end oi each said link to said end member in a manner to permit limited longitudinal movement of the link relative to the end member, and clip means extending over said rings and secured to said end member for holding said links engaged upon said end members.

V14. A flexible chute comprising a series of sections, link means connecting adjacent sections, each said link means connected between two adjacent sections and secured to at least one section in a manner to permit limited longitudinal movement of the link relative to the section, and means secured to each said section overlying each said link of each said section to hold said link engaged upon the said section.

15. A flexible chute comprising a series of sections, apertured links connecting each pair of adjacent sections, means connecting one end of each link to one of the said sections to permit relative longitudinal movement of the link, the apertures of adjacent links overlapping means on said sections extending through the overlapping apertures, and means holding said links secured connecting said sections.

16. A flexible chute Comprising a series of sections, longitudinally extending links connecting each adjacent pair of sections, means connecting one end of each of said links to its corresponding section in a manner to permit relative longitudinal movement of the link, and clip means secured to said corresponding section for holding said links engaged to said sections.

17. A flexible chute comprising a series of sections, a link connecting each pair oi adjacent sections, means connecting one end of each said link for limited longitudinal movement, said last named means extending through the link, and a series of overlapping plates on adjacent sections, each said plate overlying -said link to hold the link secured to its corresponding section.

18, A iiexible chute for shells connected in a series by a shell harness, the chute comprising a series of sections,V each section compr a pair of opposed U-shaped members having one side thereof connected, means connecting said sections together for limited relative longitudinal movement, and means on the free end oi' one end member of each pair engageable with the shell harness to limit axial movement of the shell-s in the chute.

19. A ilexible chute comprising a pair of rigid end members of substantially U-shape, means pivotally connecting one side of each end member of every pair to permit relative pivotal movement between end members, a rounded projection on the closed end of each end member projecting toward the next adjacent end member, a socket on the closed end of each end member to accommodate the rounded projection of the next adjacent end member, means connecting the end members of adjacent sections to permit limited relative longitudinal and pivotal movement between sections, and spacinggmeans projecting longitudinally from the sides of each of said U- shaped end members to limit movement of adjacent end members together.

20. A flexible chute comprising a series of sections each including a pair of end members iof U-shape, means connecting one side of one of said end members to one side of the other end member of said pair, said connecting means being pivotally connected to one of said end members l0 to permit pivoting of said one end member about a transverse axis, and a series of means connecting adjacent sections, each said means including a link connecting end members of adjacent sections and permitting relative longitudinal movement therebetween, a clip overlying each end of each of said links, said clip extending through the link and acting to limit longitudinal movement of the link relative to the end member, and a plate resiliently engaging the end member to overlie each clip to hold the clip in place, the plates of adjacent sections overlapping to provide a continuous support.

WARREN H. NOBLES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this` patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,310,884 Trevaskis Feb. 9, 1943 2,351,370 Schai June 13, 1944 2,419,315 Elliott Apr. 22, 1947 

